About Me
My professional background
Throughout my life, I harbored ambitious aspirations of becoming a pharmacist—specifically, a PharmD. With this goal in mind, I embarked on my academic journey at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a pre-pharmacy major during my freshman year. However, it didn't take long for me to realize that my true calling lay elsewhere. The subsequent year led me to North Carolina, where I found my passion in health information administration at East Carolina University.
Upon returning to Wisconsin, I dedicated myself to this newfound passion, ultimately earning my bachelor's degree in health information management from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1996. As a naturally goal-oriented individual, my sights were set on a career in hospital administration.
I initially took on a significant role leading the health information management department and the medical staff office, but my ambitions reached further—I aspired to spearhead information technology initiatives within the hospital. Recognizing the pivotal shift from paper to electronic medical records, I pursued an advanced degree, obtaining my master's in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2005.
Shortly after graduation, I achieved a proud milestone by becoming my hospital's first Vice President and Chief Information Officer, a position I held for the next thirteen years. During this tenure, we achieved remarkable success, garnering recognition as one of the country's Most Wired hospitals for thirteen consecutive years and attaining Stage-6 hospital status by HIMSS. Partnering with LifePoint Health, we earned the System IT Leadership Award and were pioneers in submitting live patient information to Wisconsin's health information exchange, WISHIN.
While those years were fulfilling, my journey led me to embrace a new challenge—to follow the data. This pursuit culminated in my role as Vice President and Privacy Officer at the Wisconsin Hospital Association Information Center (WHAIC). In this capacity, I oversaw the WHAIC's direction, managing its product and service portfolio, guiding staff development, nurturing customer relationships, and contributing to the organization's growth and development.
At WHAIC, we empowered healthcare stakeholders in Wisconsin to transform data into actionable insights, facilitating timely and reliable decision-making. Through the provision of data sets, tools, reports, and analytic services, we supported healthcare providers and patients, ensuring that our customers derived maximum value from Wisconsin's healthcare data.
Now, in my role as Senior Vice President at AHIMA, I am driven by a mission to empower professionals to lead the future of healthcare through trusted information, strategic education, and innovative credentialing. This role allows me to bring together my expertise in leadership, education, and technology to shape the future of the HI profession and improve healthcare outcomes on a national scale.
My personal story
I was born in 1971 in West Islip, Long Island, New York, and grew up as the eldest of three daughters. At the age of five, my family moved to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. In my youth, I excelled as a baton twirler, achieving notable victories, including a national championship at Notre Dame in 1982. Academically, I maintained a straight-A record, earning high honors and membership in the National Honor Society. This early success allowed me to tutor elementary school children in reading, a passion I continue by mentoring aspiring professionals today.
Throughout my school years, I held the position of cheerleading captain for both football and basketball squads. Although I didn't see myself as "musical," I played first-chair clarinet in the high school band and have played the piano since the age of eight. My love for running and exercise began early with participation in cross-country and track. While I may no longer identify as an avid runner, I've won enough races to feel fulfilled. Currently, I'm passionate about Les Mills High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).
Shortly after graduating from undergrad, I welcomed my most special daughter, Jessica Marie, into the world. She has followed in my footsteps, graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a master's in social work and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology. Jessica is currently working toward her LCSW credentials, making a difference as a mental health therapist at Roger's Behavioral Health in Oconomowoc, WI.
Beyond my professional roles, I've actively served my community, holding the position of President on the Watertown Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and contributing to the success of the YES! of Watertown Group, a team dedicated to fundraising initiatives. Over the past two decades, I've played an integral role in the Wisconsin Health Information Management Association (WHIMA), serving as the only two-time President in 2007/2008 and 2016/2017.
On a national level, I've contributed to the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) as a member of the privacy and security advisory council, the board of directors, and currently, as the past president for the organization, starting my three-year term in 2022. Throughout my career, I've received recognition, including the WHIMA Rising Star Award in 2003, WHIMA Motivator Award in 2014, WHIMA Distinguished Member Award in 2015 and the WHIMA Professional Mentor Award in 2023.
How do I manage it all? With the unwavering love and support of my husband, Steve—the love of my life. His encouragement empowers me to be the best version of myself, and I am grateful to have reconnected with him in 2010, over two decades after graduating from Oconomowoc High School, thanks to match.com!
Things I love
Outside of my professional life, I find immense joy in staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise. The love for physical activity complements another one of my passions – food. Whether it's savoring delicious meals, reading about culinary delights, exploring grocery stores for unique ingredients, or trying my hand at cooking, I am truly captivated by the world of gastronomy. And, of course, a delectable meal is perfectly accompanied by a fine glass of wine, which is another indulgence I thoroughly appreciate.
Residing in Wisconsin, my heart belongs to the Green Bay Packers, and I make it a point to watch their games every weekend when possible. Beyond the excitement of sports, I have a profound love for travel, often finding myself exploring vibrant destinations. Some of my favorite places include the lively energy of Las Vegas, the cultural richness of Chicago, the picturesque landscapes of Temecula, CA, and the historical charm of Boston. Recently, I had the pleasure of embarking on a memorable journey to Brisbane, Australia, and New Zealand, enriching my life with the vibrant cultures and breathtaking landscapes of these stunning locations.
On a more personal note, I have a fondness for collecting elephants, encompassing all types of collectibles. It has become a distinctive aspect of my identity, with friends often associating elephants with me. Their thoughtfulness in linking anything elephant-related to me always brings a smile to my face, reinforcing the unique and cherished connection I have with these wonderful creatures.